**Policy Summary: Combating Black Marketing of Essential Commodities in India (2020-2024)**
This document summarizes data provided by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4436, answered on August 20, 2025, regarding efforts to curb black marketing of essential commodities in India. The data encompasses the period from 2020 to 2024 and reflects information reported by States and Union Territories.
Key metrics from the five-year period include:
* **Raids Conducted:** A total of 689,648 raids were carried out across India to check black marketing of essential commodities. The number of raids fluctuated, peaking in 2020 at 165,250 and reaching a low in 2024 with 117,092 raids.
* **Value of Goods Confiscated:** The total value of goods confiscated during these raids amounted to ₹2217.16 crores. There was significant variation across the years, with the highest value recorded in 2024 at ₹1623.78 crores.
* **Persons Arrested:** A total of 98,468 individuals were arrested in connection with these raids. The number of arrests generally increased over the period, reaching a high of 32,162 in 2022.
The information was provided by Shri B.L. Verma, Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. The data does not specify the exact commodities seized (wheat, sugar, rice, or other), but provides an aggregate value of all confiscated goods.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
SHRI ESWARASAMY K: A member of the LOK SABHA who raised a question about black marketing.
SHRI B.L.VERMA: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution who provided the answer.
wheat: An essential commodity that is prone to black marketing.
sugar: An essential commodity that is prone to black marketing.
rice: An essential commodity that is prone to black marketing.
StatesUnion Territories: Refers to the various states and union territories within India, which are responsible for reporting data on raids and arrests related to black marketing.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4436
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025
BLACK MARKETING OF ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES
4436. SHRI ESWARASAMY K:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of raids were carried out during the last five years to check black marketing
of essential commodities in States/Union Territories;
(b) the details of the quantity of wheat, sugar, rice and other commodities seized during raids; and
(c) whether the of persons were arrested in such raids and if so, the details thereof along with number and
if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (c) : Details regarding the number of raids, value of goods confiscated, and persons arrested during
the raids carried out in the last five years to check black marketing of essential commodities, as reported by
the States/Union Territories, are as follows:
S.No Year No. of Raids Value of Goods Confiscated No. of Persons Arrested
Carried out (in crores)
1. 2020 1,65,250 65.70 10,005
2. 2021 1,39,159 121.31 17,897
3. 2022 1,29,370 246.75 32,162
4. 2023 1,38,777 159.62 18,868
5. 2024 1,17,092 1623.78 19,536
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